Town Working On New Solar Energy Regulations
by David Flint
New Lebanon, like other towns in the area, realizes it has been caught unprepared to deal with the growth of solar power. It’s not so much the solar panels sprouting on many residential rooftops that cause concern.[private] More particularly a number of residents have reported that they have been approached by solar companies about leasing or selling land for large scale solar farms. The problem is there is nothing in the Town’s current zoning laws that govern either of these property uses, and any use not listed is considered prohibited. Some towns indeed have moved to actively prohibit large scale solar farms. Town Supervisor Colleen Teal said that’s not what New Lebanon wants to do. “We are trying to make sure that we allow them, but very carefully so we do not get inundated with them.”
At the Town Board meeting on Tuesday, January 10, the Board considered a draft from the Zoning Rewrite Committee that addresses the issue.
According to the draft of the zoning section on Solar Energy Systems, the intent is to take advantage of a “safe, abundant, renewable and non-polluting energy resource.” The Town seeks to balance “the potential impacts of solar collectors on neighbors “with preserving the rights of property owners to install solar energy systems without overly burdensome regulations.”
The section lists requirements for both roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar systems as an accessory use or structure. It also lists standards and requirements for large scale solar systems, commonly known as “solar farms”, that produce energy primarily for the purpose of off-site sale or consumption.
Teal and Board Members had a number of questions and comments. Ted Salem was there from the Rewrite Committee to provide some answers. Town Attorney Stephanie Ferradino had questions of her own and was also able to provide legal expertise to the discussion.
These draft regulations have a ways to go before they become law. Teal said later that “At this point, the attorney will take our discussion and make changes to the proposal, then send it back for the Town Board to review again. This will continue until we have a finalized version that is agreed upon by the Town Board. Once that occurs, it will get put into a proposed law format and the Board will set a public hearing to get input from the public. That input will determine if we adopt as it is put forth or if changes will be considered based on the input from the public. It could be late spring or early summer before enactment is considered.”
Town Code Cleanup
Teal noted that the Town hired the codification company General Code at least 17 years ago but never contracted with them to do a complete analysis of the Town Code which is a compilation of the laws, ordinances and resolutions adopted by Town Boards throughout the town’s history. She said she would like to have that done now. “Every time you amend the code,” she said, “there is the potential for conflict.”
The quote she received for this task last summer was $3,688. This sum, she asserted, would be substantially less than a lawyer would charge and it would be done much more efficiently. She said she would get an updated quote from General Code and the Board could discuss it at the February meeting.
Accessing The International Building Code
Teal made a pitch to help the Building/Planning/Zoning Department by providing them with Premium Access to building codes, a service of the International Code Council. A one-year subscription to this product would cost $544 and would provide efficient access to the codes with search ability and automatic updates. The alternative would be a PDF download which would lack search ability as well as automatic updates and other resources. Teal said she would like to try the Premium Access for one year and let the Building Department determine its worth. The Board approved a resolution to this effect.
Town Hall Renovations
Teal expressed great satisfaction in the renovation work recently completed in the Town Hall and offered to take anyone interested on a tour. Work in the Town Clerk’s office and the Building Department is done. The entry ways have new flooring. Flooring and painting in the Supervisor’s office will be completed by the weekend. Painting the hallways, a cream color with blue trim, is almost finished. The copy room will also soon have new flooring and fresh paint. Town Clerk Tistrya Houghtling noted that much of this work was done by staff and with volunteer labor for under $2,000. “We are making progress,” Teal said.
Fire Protection Agreement
The Board approved a resolution giving the Supervisor the authority to execute the Fire Protection Agreement with the Lebanon Valley Protective Association. In return for furnishing fire protection, the Town pays the Association $108,160.
Appointments
The Board voted 4-0 (Chuck Geraldi being absent) to appoint Matt Larabee as Representative to the Columbia County Traffic & Safety Council.
A motion made by Supervisor Teal to appoint Monte Wasch to the Planning Board failed in a 2-2 vote. Teal and Councilman Dan Evans voted yes but Councilmen Kevin Smith and Mark Baumli voted no.
“Free Store”
Town Clerk Tistrya Houghtling said that her experience in running the Holiday Gift Drive for families in need in the community had made her aware of how many needy families there are in New Lebanon. She made a proposal to the Board to put what she called a “Free Store” in a vacant room on the second floor of the Town Hall. Donations of clean clothing and other non-edible things would be accepted and people could take whatever they might need. It would be furnished with racks and shelves and would be open only during Town Clerk officer hours. Houghtling said she already had offers from many people who volunteered to help with sorting and arranging things and keeping the store neat. She said there would be no cost to the Town.
Teal said that the Town’s insurance policy would cover this use. The Board approved a resolution to authorize Houghtling to set up this store on a 6-month interim basis.
Appreciation For Jobs Well Done
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to:
• Jerry Grant, who has done “a wonderful job” on the Planning Board since 2008.
• Scott Larabee, who served on the Recreation Commission since 2007, Building Maintenance from 2011 to 2016 and Park Maintenance and Pavilion Rental from 2012 to 2016; started the Community Picnic and kept it going; his service to the town is “greatly appreciated.”
• Donnie Sears and Herb Jones, “remarkable additions to the Building Maintenance staff, who spent the holidays working on the Town Hall renovations enabling a ‘phenomenal job’ to be completed for about $2,000; also instrumental in getting the playground equipment installed.” [/private]